Fiberglass tubs are lasting but can chip and crack over time, causing leaks which could impact the house. Once damaged, you don’t have to replace the bathtub; most fiberglass bathtub damages can be repaired by the homeowner having a commercially packaged repair kit and tools.
Ventilate the Region. Clean the area around the crack with a sponge and bathroom cleaner.
Don a dust mask and safety glasses. Clear off any fiberglass chips which may be flaking ; you also can use a razor blade or sharp putty knife to remove flakes. Take care not to pry under the solid fiberglass coating together with the blade; just scrape flakes and loose chips. If the crack is broad and deep, you may use a hobby-type rotary instrument to more speedily clean the cracked area.
Sand the crack and the surrounding region to at least 1/4 inch beyond the repair area using 80-grit sandpaper. Some repair kits have sandpaper and others don’t. Smooth out any fiberglass chips, rough edges or imperfections until the place feels smooth to the touch. Clean the area with a dry soft cloth.
Don gloves. Mix the putty filler from the kit at a paper cup. There’s a filler mix and there may be a different top-coat mix based on the newest repair kit. Using a putty knife or applicator rod, use the mixed putty into the crack at the bathtub, filling it completely. Smooth the surface together with the rod out. Enable the putty to dry; check the kit’s directions for the time required to dry.
Use dry sandpaper to smooth the filler putty. Sand the place to only beyond the repair area to allow for a smooth and well-blended repair. Wipe the region with a soft cloth to remove dust. In case the kit came with a top coat of paint, apply the paint using a small paintbrush. After all applications are dry, use a buffer fabric to smooth out the repair.
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